The Rules of Seven

For some reason when I think of sevens, it reminds of me of how many times we are suppose to forgive someone, so please forgive me for the words that I'm about to show you (sorry self-deprecating moment).

I was tagged by Struggling Writer to go to either page 7 or 77 of my manuscript, count down 7 lines, then copy the next 7 lines into your blog.

So here it goes.

Lind leaned his cane against the railing and lowered himself down beside his brother. “Oliver you take everything so literal. Of course you can tell your family. We’re all Defenders.” Unlike his brothers and father, Oliver refrained from reminding Lind that he was only an Honorary Defender, since there had been extenuating circumstances regarding his last task, circumstances that had resulted in a lost limb and a burnt face. Oliver had never been privy to the details and knew better than to ask.

“Then why didn’t anyone tell me about their tasks?”

“You weren’t a Defender yet. When you complete your task, we can tell you what we had to do.Come 

on Ollie, everyone’s waiting.” He grabbed onto the railing and pulled himself up. 

Sorry, you got an extra line, but I didn't want to leave you hanging.

Actually this exercise got me thinking. So many times, I've flipped a book open and read an excerpt as though reading one paragraph will entice me to buy the book. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

How about you? Do you read a part of the book before deciding to purchase it?

It's back and ready to do some training

It's back and I'm not talking about me, although I have been gone for a while due to illness, but I'm better now. Thanks for asking.

No, I'm talking about Ali Cross and her dojo.

The Writer's Dojo is returning to its roots and invites you to join in on the fun!

To quote Ali:

When I first started the writer's dojo in 2008, I did it as a way to keep the glory of National Novel Writing Month alive all year long. I loved the camaraderie and support I received during the month of November and desired that same feeling of community every month of the year, in every aspect of writing--not just the drafting.

Beginning February 1st, 2013, the writer's dojo returns to its roots and ushers in a new age of ninjawesomeness.

Each month there will be three training rooms at the writer's dojo website. A room for drafters (Writing Month, aka WriMo), a room for revisers (Revising Month, aka ReMo) and a room for those querying (Querying Month, aka QuMo).

Set your own goals, whether it's to write a thousand words a day, revise ten pages a week, or submit twenty queries in a month, and register your goal in the appropriate training room.

Every Monday a leader will be posted for the previous week, and at the end of each month those who met their goal will be able to post the coveted Writing Ninja Warrior badge on their blog or website. And you know accomplish their writing goals.

There will be chats, twitter encouragement, google+, and a newsletter. All in an attempt to help those who are struggling to meet their goals.

I absolutely love this idea. Right now my lack of motivation is at an all time high. The only time I've been writing is to try and meet my once a month in person critique group, which means I'm writing or revising at a snail's pace. This might be just the thing I need to help me cross some stuff off my list.

So if you need a little push, check out Ali's blog for more info. 




  

Be Careful What You Google For...

Today I was writing a scene where my MC gets drunk for the first time, but I don't drink so I don't know how much he would have to consume in order for him to act a certain way, so to google I went and typed in:

How many beers does it take to get drunk?

I found out the information I was looking for and went back to writing. An hour later (okay really it was 20 minutes), I took a break and my husband went on my computer.

A few minutes later he comes into our bedroom and says, "Please tell me you were the one googling about how to get drunk."

We have two teenage boys, so you can imagine the relief on his face when I told him it was me.

So be careful what you google.

How about you? Not that getting drunk is weird, but what is the weirdest thing you've googled?

Deep POV

I have to admit that I don't devour writing craft books. But once in a while one comes a long that really hits home for me.

My friend Stina tuned me into this one (click on the link for her review):

Rivet your Readers with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

There are four reasons why I like it.

1.  It gets straight to the point.
2.  It gives you great examples on how to develop a deeper POV.
3.  It gives you worksheets at the end of each chapter.
4.  It's short. So you learn a lot in a short period of time.

I highly recommend this book. I have it on kindle right now, but I'm thinking I might buy a paperback version, because I like flipping through.

Which begs the question.

For craft books do you like a digital copy or a paper copy?

And for another plug don't forget The Emotion Thesaurus by the Bookshelf Muse (Angela and Becca). Always have this one by my computer

Character Arc

Like I mentioned in my last post, I've been downloading home movies, so I'm catching glimpses of myself from 10 years ago and its been an interesting feeling.

I know its hard from watching yourself, but I don't think I've really changed that much (plus or minus a few pounds). So I started thinking, what has been my character arc for the last ten years. 

Ten years ago...

1. I just had a baby

2. Trying to lose weight

3. Stay at home mom

4. Started writing a book (has it really been that long - ugh)

Now...

1. No babies in sight

2. Still trying to lose weight from 10 year old baby

3. Work a part time job

4. Still writing books

Not that different. 

Emotionally I feel the same, at times insecure, at times confident, but always seem to be trying to figure out what to do with my life.

All I can say is that I better not base any of my characters on my life, because that would be a pretty boring book.

And that is why I write fiction. 

What would your character arc be?

Happy New Year

It was an eventful Christmas holiday for us, full of sickness, cold weather, and a little bit of celebrating. Needless to say, I'm kind of glad its all over and everyone can go back to our normal routine.

Through all of the down time I've been downloading home movies from the last ten years onto my computer. It's been fun watching my now grown teenage sons and wannabe teenage daughter as little babies and kids. They go from learning to walk, to kicking their first ball, to making their first basket. (Yes, my life revolves around sports).

Sometimes we call our manuscripts our kids and get upset when someone asks us to choose our favorite one. Well just like I have three kids, I have three books.

My oldest son is like my first book. Both are almost ready to make their own way in this world.
My second son is like my second book. It's all grown up, but still has a lot of learning to do.
My third book is like my daughter. The ideas are still percolating, many pages still have to be written until we get to the end.

Its funny how protective we get of our books (just like our kids). I'm having a hard time letting both my son and my first book go.

Any advice on how to do either or both?